FAQ - College Applications

When should I start?

The summer before your senior year is the best time to start. Most students do the majority of their application work in the fall of their senior year. See a college application timeline for seniors.

How do I begin?

Find out what goes into an application and begin collecting the materials you need. Create a folder for each college you are applying to. At the front of each folder, put a checklist of what you’ll need for the application and when it’s due.

How many colleges should I apply to?

To increase your chances of getting in to a selective school—and to account for colleges you may not have considered before—we recommend a balanced list. A balanced list includes at least 3 reach colleges, 2 matches, and 1 safety school. They should all be colleges you’d be happy to attend.

What are reach, match, and safety schools?

BigFuture™ introduces test scores as one additional factor to weigh as you refine your list. Think about narrowing your colleges into three categories:

• Reaches: Your SAT or ACT® score is lower than the average score range of last year’s freshman class.
• Matches: Your SAT or ACT score is solidly in the same score range as last year’s freshman class.
• Safeties: Your SAT or ACT score is higher than the average score range of last year’s freshman class.

Should I apply early?

It depends. If you are sure about which college you want to attend, early decision or early action might be the best choice for you. If you’re not sure, keep in mind that some early application plans require you to commit early. You may want to keep your options open.

Should I even bother applying to colleges I don’t think I can afford?

Absolutely. Remember that after financial aid packages are determined, most students will pay far less than the "sticker price" listed on the college website. You don’t know if you can afford a college until after you apply and find out how much aid that college will offer you (if you’re accepted). Fill out the FAFSA® as early as possible after Jan. 1 to qualify for the most aid.

Even if the aid package the college offers is not enough, you have options. Many colleges are willing to work with students they have chosen for admission to ensure that those students can afford to attend.

*The above information was provided by collegeboard.org.